Top Baby Names in Belgium

Hallo, lezers!

After a rather long and unintended hiatus, I'm back to posting articles on global names. Today, we'll be looking at the top baby names in Belgium (specifically Flanders). This is the Dutch region of the country, home to Brussels and Antwerp. They're also known for their chocolate!

I'll be looking at seven names from each gender that are popular in Belgium (in the top 50) but uncommon in the United States. I'm taking my data from Baby Name Wizard's lists - for Belgian boys and Belgian girls. This data is from 2014. 

Laten we gaan!

Female Names

Noor 

Meaning "light" in Arabic, Noor has begun to find favor among American parents - it reached the top 1000 for the first time last year. It's been most common in Muslim families, but its similarity to Nora and Eleanor make it even more desirable for all types. 

Manon 

While it's long been a popular choice among French speakers, Americans haven't followed suit - the most Manon's born in the US at one time were twenty-six girls each year during 1999 and 2000. Still, this diminutive of Marie is soft and friendly, a pretty alternative to Madison or Madeline. 

Lotte 

Though Charlie has taken off for girls in the states, Lotte hasn't - the foreign pronunciations of LAH-tah, LAH-teh, or LAH-tee can be difficult for native English speakers. Parents worried about Charlotte's popularity may take the plunge, while Lottie is another adorable option. 

Aya 

This name can be found in languages all over the globe, from Japanese to Arabic to Hebrew to Dutch. It takes the current vowel trend to a new level, but its subdued sound makes it more sophisticated than faddish. Aya currently ranks at #36 in Belgium and #886 in the US. 

Fien

Originally a nickname for Jozefien, this short form has now surpassed the longer classic. Though it may raise some eyebrows, it could work well as a feminine alternative to Finn. In the US, Josephine and Josie are the more common variations. 

Anaïs 

Another French choice, Anaïs has ranked on the top 1000 a few times over the past few decades. It comes from the name Anne, meaning "grace," and there are a few notable namesakes with the moniker - author Anaïs Nin and musician Anaïs Mitchell among them. 

Ines 

Ranking in eight different European countries, this variation of Agnes is especially popular due to its association with a Spanish love story. Pronounced "AYE-ness" or "EE-ness," it's short, elegant, and traditional without being overused. 

Male Names

Mathis 
Alternatives to Biblical favorite Matthew are on the rise everywhere - from Mateo to Mathias to Matt. This French version is pronounced like the artist Matisse, though many Americans may sooner connect the name to mid-century singer Johnny Mathis.

Maxime 
Looking for an unusual longer name with the nickname Max? Maxime is one uncommon choice, though it may be confused with the feminine Maxine. Still, it's been slowly increasing in popularity: thirty-eight baby Maxime's were born last year.

Seppe
Though it's never been recorded in the United States, it's already at #25 in Belgium. Seppe is originally a short form of Giuseppe or Joseph, and is pronounced "SEP-pah." I'm interested to see how it will take off in the US - there's a great discussion about it on this Nameberry forum!

Stan 
While Stanley has been on the decline for a few decades, bright and friendly Stan may still find an audience. With short boys' names like Sam and Jack on trend, Stan could definitely fit in on the playground while maintaining its retro air.

Wout
Pronounced "Vowt" or "Wowt," this Dutch nicknamed for Wouter (Walter) may have a hard time in the United States. On the other hand, it's close enough to Wyatt to merit a mention! Walter itself has been on the rise in the US as well - thanks, Breaking Bad?

Timeo
Are you a fan of Mateo, but looking for something less common? Timeo may be right up your alley! It comes from a Greek name meaning "honor," and could honor a familial Timothy. It's also related to the Disney favorite Timon and can be found in Shakespeare.

Yanis 
Another Greek choice, Yanis is actually a relative of John, meaning "gift of God." It's got a unique sound and form, setting it apart from most trends. Yanis was given to twenty-nine boys in the United States last year - and six girls.

Tell me your favorites in the comments!

Artist Names: Dutch Golden Age

Hallo, lezers!

Today's post is another installment in Artist Names, this time focusing on the Dutch Golden Age! In the seventeenth century, the Dutch Republic (now more or less the Netherlands) had entered a time of prosperity, leading to increases in cultural wealth. Artists and artisans flourished during this time, and some of the most iconic paintings were created during this century.

Again, there are a lot of old white men listed, and one white woman. Tell me what other eras, places, and people you'd like me to focus on for this series!

Pieter Claesz
A painter of still lifes, Pieter Claesz focused on portrayed light and texture in the most realistic way possible. Reflections and symbols are also a large part of his work - he followed the ideals of the Vanitas movement, which sought to remind the wealthy Dutch people that material prosperity could not compare to spiritual riches. The name Pieter is the Dutch form of Peter, from the Greek meaning "rock". Pieter is in the top 100 names in the Netherlands, and could be a cool ancestral honorific. Otherwise, the spelling might confuse native English speakers.

Aelbert Jacobsz Cuyp
Coming from a family of artists, Aelbert Cuyp was a leading painter in Dutch landscapes. He also focused on illustrating light, but sought to portray natural exterior light rather than interior light. Interestingly, his involvement with the Calvinist Church seems to have halted his career: the superficiality of art was not a spiritual ideal. Aelbert and Jacobsz are the Dutch cognates of Albert and Jacob. Jacob is obviously popular in the US, but Albert has also been trending up recently due to the retro trends and its many namesakes!

Carel Pietersz Fabritius
A pupil of Rembrandt, Carel Fabritius developed a lighter, more unique style than many of his colleagues before his untimely death in a neighborhood explosion. Only a handful of his paintings survived. One such painting (The Goldfinch, above) gained publicity recently when a fictional book about the painting topped the bestseller list in 2013 (it's excellent and I highly recommend it). The name Carel is a variation of Charles, and sounds a bit like the feminine Carol. However, I think Carel, nickname Cary, could be a nice alternative to Cory or Charlie!

Judith Jans Leyster
One of the few notable female names that survived history, Judith Leyster was known for her upbeat portrait paintings. Her work was ascribed to male artist Frans Hals for years until proven hers. She was greatly involved in the artist community during her life, and collaborated with many. The name Judith, after declining for decades, has recently begun to rise again. The name means "woman from Judea", and is mentioned in the Bible and Torah. The nickname Jude is a nice upgrade from dated Judy, and could be perfect for a strong little one!

Rembrandt van Rijn
Arguably the most important artist in Dutch history, Rembrandt van Rijn is well-known today for his paintings and etchings. Rembrandt himself identified his goal to produce "the greatest and most natural movement" on canvas, and his many landscapes, portraits, and etchings show his desire for naturalism. While the name Rembrandt is pretty much only associated with the artist, there were 5 Rembrandt's born in the US in 2011, and 10 born in 2013. I think the name would make an excellent middle name - as a first it would be heck to live up to!

Johannes Vermeer
Famous for Girl with a Pearl Earring, Johannes Vermeer was not much of a success during his lifetime. He made few paintings and little money - only recently has much of his life and work come to light. Vermeer focused on domestic interior scenes, which makes sense, being that he had an extensive family - his ten children were named Maertge, Elisabeth, Cornelia, Aleydis, Beatrix, Johannes, Gertruyd, Franciscus, Catharina, and Ignatius. The name Johannes lives on in the US through John, and I personally think the names of his children are more unusual and interesting!

Tell me your favorite names in the comments!